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CARNIVAL
& CREATIVITY |
The background to this measure was linked to the situation of conflicts in the West Indies at the time. Ever since Columbus had encountered and claimed the "New World" for Spain (1492 - 1504), the other Maritime Nations of the "Old World" had been envious of Spain and eager to gain land in these parts. The British and the French were the most prominent of these nations.
The French Whites, who had owned the estates, celebrated the Roman Catholic feast of Carnival (Farewell to Flesh) in their great houses, and it was the period when one threw off all inhibitions before embarking on the season of fasting, which was lent. The wealthy French planters held masked both in their great houses, and the finery and splendour that marked such occasions held great fascination for the slaves.
Not to be outdone by their masters, the slaves themselves held their own little Carnival in their backyards imitating the characters in the French ball. They also reflected on their own African past, drawing from their rich rituals and folk-lores. The research goes on and on with the slaves facing and actually being arrested for offences like "desecrating the Sabbath" and for "public gatherings."
With the abolition of slavery, August 1, 1834, this great historical, social, economic and even political event signaled the freedom for the slaves as enshrined in the British Emancipation Act. Trinidad and Tobago hosted it first Carnival in 1839.
So 162 years later, Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago has been hailed as the "Greatest Show on Earth". Where one will see the political, economic and social elite mingling with the man-on-the-street. Whilst Carnival days, (this year Carnival falls on February 26 and 27) give one a sense of freedom to enjoy himself or herself in the streets jumping up J'Ouvert or Ole Mas or later in the day being members of Carnival bands with membership as many as 4,000 masqueraders. For at least a month before the actual days, there is a network of Carnival fetes, stick-fighting competitions, crowning of Kings and Queens of Bands; Soca Monarch, and Calypso King Competitions; Children's Carnival Kings and Queens', Individual Masqueraders; Kings and Queens of Bands, and ultimately King and Queen of Carnival; Band of the Years, and of course, Panorama Champion for 2001. Versatile Bandleader, Peter Minshall who by passed Carnival celebration last year, has announced plans to return to the Queen's Park Savannah with his masterpiece presentation, "This is hell."
He describes how his band will be presented: some kind of a devilish fantasy, we want people in all manner of dress and undress, as suits their personal tastes. One rule - you wear black. "You can come in the skimpiest black bikini that you want to according to your Carnival attitudes and tastes; or you can come in a silky black evening gown with elbow-length gloves.
"What we at the mas camp end are going to do is to provide you with the accessories. Hell, as we see it for Carnival 2001, is in black and gold. Black for the oil and gold for the money. When I do the mas I compete, not with any other band or any other person," he said. "When I do the mas I want the work that I do to be relevant in the world that we live in. I do the mas fully aware of what they're doing right now in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, or what they're doing right now at the new Tate Gallery in London, or what they're doing right now with graphics in Japan."
Today's Carnival has come a very long way. It in the pre-1839, Carnival was a hit-and-miss game, now the ball game has been completely revolutionised.
Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is a people's thing. Everyone participates. It is big business as thousands of people who produce Carnival do it as careers year long.
Thousands of tourists from the four corners of the globe, in addition to nationals, throng Trinidad and Tobago for Carnival.
Government provides financial subventions to ensure its success. Newly - appointed Minister of Human Resource Development, Youth and Culture, Ganga Singh is putting his best to ensure "the grandest of all Carnivals so far."
Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is a total reflection of its people, its ethnic stock, its economic, social, political and cultural repertoire. It is revolutionary on all counts of human behaviour. It is a demonstration of a people's cohesiveness, brotherhood, understanding and kinship.
It has worked and will continue to demonstrate to the world that if one wants to see his fellowman living and playing in peace, concord and harmony, it is in Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
Trinidad and Tobago may not be able to contribute to outerspace technology or create nuclear outfits, but we in Trinidad and Tobago can certainly show the world creativity, through its indigenous festival, Carnival. It is on the international agenda.
If one wants to see a colourful, social and cultural Revolution in action ... its Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.